Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social connectedness

Key Informant Perspectives on Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness
Describes challenges and opportunities related to health impacts of social isolation in rural areas, using data from interviews with 22 experts from 11 states and the District of Columbia. Addresses gaps in the literature on rural-urban differences in social isolation and offers suggestions for policy changes and programmatic interventions.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Alexandra Ecklund, Megan Lahr, et al.
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
view details
The Role of Social Support and the Neighborhood Environment on Physical Activity in Low-income, Mexican-American Women in South Texas
Presents a study on the effectiveness of a promotora-led intervention aimed at improving the rates of physical activity among low-income Mexican-American women in rural South Texas.
Author(s): Jennifer J. Salinas, Marisol McDaniel, Deborah Parra-Medina
Citation: Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 51(5), 234-241
Date: 09/2018
Type: Document
view details
Intergenerational Continuity in Adverse Childhood Experiences and Rural Community Environments
Reports on a study of two-parent families with children in rural Iowa to determine the effect of community environment on intergenerational continuity in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Measures of community environment including socioeconomic status, social cohesion, perception of community services, and alcohol vendor density were correlated with ACEs to analyze their significance in helping families break the cycle and reduce or prevent childhood adversity.
Author(s): Thomas J. Schofield, M. Brent Donnellan, Melissa T. Merrick, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 108(9), 1148–1152
Date: 09/2018
Type: Document
view details
Gender Differences in Social Isolation and Social Support among Rural Residents
Examines gender differences in social isolation and supports among aging rural residents. Includes statistics on perceived loneliness, social support, and social participation by gender. Offers suggestions to reduce social isolation and improve associated health outcomes in rural communities.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Alexandra Ecklund, Ira Moscovice, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 08/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
view details
Rural Aging: Health and Community Policy Implications for Reversing Social Isolation
Summarizes discussions from a stakeholder meeting regarding reversing social isolation among rural seniors. Highlights three objectives: a common understanding, actionable solutions, and awareness. Discusses the economic and health impacts of isolation for aging rural residents. Covers policy recommendations.
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
view details
America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2018
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health for older adults across 34 measures, as well as two supplemental measures new in 2018: suicide rate and risk of social isolation. Includes a special focus on persistent health disparities and challenges facing rural seniors.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
view details
Examining Protective and Buffering Associations Between Sociocultural Factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences among American Indian Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Quantitative, Community-based Participatory Research Approach
Presents a study on the possible correlations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives. Breaks down data by age, gender, and social support, among other factors.
Author(s): Teresa N Brockie, Jessica H L Elm, Melissa L Walls
Citation: BMJ Open, 8(9)
Date: 2018
Type: Document
view details
Rural Aging in America: Proceedings of the 2017 Connectivity Summit
Summarizes discussions from the 2017 Connectivity Summit on rural aging in the U.S. Covers social connections, access to health resources, and innovative approaches to improve care and deliver programs to the rural elderly. Includes recommendations for stakeholders to improve collaboration and work to improve the health of aging rural residents.
Author(s): Alexis Skoufalos, Janice L. Clarke, Dana Rose Ellis, Vicki L. Shepard, Elizabeth Y. Rula
Citation: Population Health Management, 20(Suppl 2), S-1-S-10
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
view details
Behavioral Health Trends in Ohio
Covers publications focusing on behavioral health research in Ohio. Includes research briefs on a variety of topics, such as housing retention, care coordination, employment, social connectedness, and others, as they relate to behavioral health.
Date: 10/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
view details
Evaluation of the Effect of the Older Americans Act Title III-C Nutrition Services Program on Participants' Food Security, Socialization, and Diet Quality
Explores nutrition services programs' effects on elders' diets and social connectedness. Features demographic statistics on participants, with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Author(s): James Mabli, Elizabeth Gearan, Rhoda Cohen, et al.
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Community Living
view details